Power saw-automotive type



Oct 1954 J. H. JACOBS ETAL 2,691,392

POWER SAW-AUTOMOTIVE TYPE Filed May 25, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Och 1954 JJH. JACOBS ETAL POWER SAW-AUTOMOTIVE TYPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1949 Aiiozvpegqs Oct. 12,1954 J. H. JACOBS ETAL 2,691,392

POWER SAWAUTOMOTIVE TYPE .Filed May 25, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 hue/2502's Patented Oct. '12, 1954 POWER SAW-AUTOMOTIVE TYPE Joseph H. Jacobs and Marcellus L. Jacobs,

Minn.

Minneapolis,

Application May 25, 1949, Serial No. 95,332

2 Claims.

This invention relates to power tools which are automotive, and more particularly to power driven and wheel supported saws.

It is an object of the invention to provide a power saw which is supported upon a wheel frame wherein at least one of the wheels is power driven, and wherein control means is provided for the power driven wheel which will automatically stop the rotation thereof if the drive control is released by the operator. This is provided in order to prevent injury to the operator in the event he should stumble and fall when the machine is moving toward him or when it otherwise gets out of control.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automotive tool, and preferably a saw, which in addition to the above recited means for automatically stopping the rotation of the wheels, will lock them against roation as soon as the operator releases the control.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this type wherein the power driven wheel or wheels can be freed from the power drive mechanism so that the device can be readily swung to different positions without interference from the drive connection.

A further object of the invention is to provide a power driven saw which is wheel supported wherein the wheels as well as the saw are power driven and either the wheels or the saw or both can be selectively disconnected from the source of power in a convenient manner.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a power driven saw which is conveniently run by an internal combustion engine, and wherein a speed responsive clutch is provided which will discoinect the saw from the engine when the engine speed is reduced to a predetermined speed such as an idling speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the saw can be conveniently set to different angular positions, depending upon the angle of cut desired and/or the slope of the ground upon which the saw carriage rests.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the views, and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view with the saw blade shown in alternate positions in full and dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the saw head and its drive.

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken at right angles to each other of the adjustable saw positioning means.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary partially in sections of a portion of the saw carriage wheel drive and control therefor,

Fig. 8 (Sheet 1) is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the saw carriage wheel drive and control.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken through a suitable embodiment of hydraulic drive mechanism for driving, locking and freeing the propelling wheels l4.

The machine includes a pair of longitudinal spaced parallel frame members l0 having a rearward cross-member H and having their forward ends connected to a transverse axle housing [2. The housing l2 as best shown in Fig. 1 has a pair of downwardly extending portions I 3, the lower ends of which carry suitable wheels l4.

Extending downwardly from the frame members H] are brackets l5, which are connected at their lower ends to radius rods Ifi which extend forwardly to the downwardly extending axle housing portions [3. Extending downwardly and rearwardly from the brackets l5 are frame supporting legs IT. A curved skid 18 connects the lower ends of said legs.

Pivotally connected to the frame cross-member II is a jack element I9 which slidably fits into a complementary element 20, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to a cross-member 2|, which extends between the lower portions of the legs I1. Pivotally mounted on the jack portion 20 is a lever 22 which extends partially through the tubular jack portion 2a and is selectively received in notches 23 in the jack portion [9 to provide longitudinal adjustment of said jack.

Extending rearwardly from the right hand or near side of the frame is a handle bar 24. The handle bar is connected to the bracket l5 at its forward end and also by means of a strap 24a to the rear end of the right hand frame member I0. The handle bar 24 is shown in Fig. 3 to extend rearwardly and thence upwardly, and a drive control hand e 25 extends horizontally rearwardly from the rear end of the handle bar 24. This drive control will be explained below in more detail.

Mounted on the axle housing I2 intermediate its ends is a swivel block 26, in which is pivotally mounted a swivel pin 21. The upper end of the pin 27 has a bearing sleeve 28 thereon. Extending through and rotatable in the sleeve 28 is a drive shaft housing 29 which extends longitudinally of the machine for a considerable distance and also for some distance forwardly of the wheels l4. Adjacent the forward end of the sleeve 28 is a collar 30 having a flange 3i thereon, said flange having a plurality of notches 32 to selectively receive a. locking lever 33 which is pivotally connected at 34 to a. pair of lugs 35 which extend upwardly from the bearing sleeve 28. As a result the power shaft housing sleeve 29 can be rotated to different positions and locked therein- The forward end of the saw blade housing 29 has a gear box 36 mounted thereon and extending from said gear box is a tubular housing 3-! which lies at a right angle to the generally horizontal housing 29. Journaled in the housing 29 is a saw blade drive shaft 38 whose forward end is provided with a bevel gear 39 which meshes with co-operative bevel gears Ml and ll. all three of said gears being located in the gear box 35.

The bevel gear All is mounted on a shaft 42, which extends through the housing 3? and on its outer end is mounted a circular saw blade 13. The bevel gear ll is mounted on av tubular shaft M which lies concentrically between the. shaft 42 and the housing 3?, and its outer end has a circular saw blade 45 mounted thereon. The two blades 43 and 45, by reason of the bevel gear arrangement at 43 and 4!, are rotated in opposite directions by the bevel gear 38 on the shaft 33. Certain of the teeth of the blades 43 and 45 are set outwardly at an angle in directions away from each other as shown at to in Fig. 4.

The main blade drive shaft 38 extends rearwardly through the horizontal housing 29 and has a pulley 41 thereon. The pulley 41 is connected by' a belt 48 to a pulley 49 on a. speed responsive clutch i) of a type well known in the clutch art- Preferably it is actuated-byflyweights which will disengage the pulley 49. from a. motor drive shaft 51 on an internal combustion engine 52, when the speed of the engine is reduced, for example, to its normal idling speed.

The housing 29 aboutthe saw drive shaft 38, adjacent to rear end, extends between a pair. of upstanding arms 53 and 5d, which are connected to swing together about a pivotal axis 5'5. When the arms 53 and 54 are extended upwardly they will. hold the tubular housing 29 against. lateral swinging movement about its verticalpivot 21 on the axle housing i2. Ihe restraining arm 54 is longer than the arm 53 and. provides a handle whereby said arms can be swung downwardly to release the saw drive shaft housing 29 and permit. it and the saw head to be. swung aboutv said pivot pin 21-.

The internalv combustion engine 52; is mounted on. a pair of sub-frame members 55 and El. These sub-frame members have a forward crossmember 58 which carries a split sleeve 59, the latter being mounted. upon the extreme rear end of the horizontal tubular housing 2.9. Athreaded rodtll extends through lugs ti on the sleeve and when rotated will tighten the sleeve on the drive shaft housing; 29. The rod t6 has a bent and 6041 so that it can be. more readily tightened and released. When the sleeve Se is released from the tubular housing 29, said housing. can be rotated. relative to the internal combustion engine 52, so that the engine will remain upright regardless of the angular position to which the saw blades. are turned.

Mounted on the outer end of the engine drive shaft 5! is a flexible shaft 62 which leads to a hydraulic pump housing E53, which in turn is suitably mounted on the transverse axle housing [2. A shaft 64 extends from the hydraulic pump housing 53 and carries a pinion gear 65.

The vehicle axle housing 12 has an axle 65 therein. One end of the axle carries a sprocket 61 which is carried by a chain 68 to a sprocket 69 on a stub shaft H! which also carries one of the Wheels 14.

The other end of the axle 66 has a sprocket ll rotatably mounted thereon, said sprocket being connected by a chain to a larger sprocket '12 in the same manner as described in connection with. the other wheel, the difference being that the previously mentioned sprocket Si is mounted on the axle 56 for rotation therewith.

Slidable on the axle 68 but keyed thereto is a pinion gear 13 which can be shifted into and out of mesh with the pinion 65 on the short power shaft 6 which extends from the hydraulic pump housing 63. One side of the pinion i3 is provided with one-half of a toothed clutch element M which co-operates with a. clutch element 1.5. on the sprocket ll on the axle E6. When the pinion i3 is meshed with. the pinion 85, the clutch elements l4 and '55 will be engaged. Since the pinion 13 is keyed to the axle 66 it will rotate said axle and the sprocket 6'! and the clutch l4 and 15 will rotate the sprocket ll when in the position shown in Fig. 2 neither wheel is connected for driving movement.

Fig. 8 shows the mechanism for shiftin the sprocket '13. It includes a rod It carrying a shifting fork 16a slidably supported by lugs 17 and 18 on theaxle housing :2 and one of the main frame side members 10 respectively. The rod 16 has a spring 13 thereon interposed between the lug l8 and. a collar 86 on the rod 16. There. is another collar al on said rod and it is connected by a link 82 to; a short lever 83 rigidly mounted upon an. elongated rod M- which extends from a lu 85 on the axle housing [2 to a journal or lugv 85 at the lower rear portion of the handle bar 24. It Will be seen in Fig. 8 that the right hand end of the link 82 is bent downwardly at an angle so that when the rod 84 is rotated by meshing of its bent end Ma. said right hand end of the link 82 will go over center in its movement relative to the rod 84 as the elements are turned in a clockwise direction. This will lock the elements in position against the expansive action of the spring 19 and will hold the pinion 13 out of engagement with pinion 65 and will also hold apart the clutch elements 14 and 15.

Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment showing a hydraulic drive mechanism such as could be contained in the housing '63. The flexible power shaft 62 is adapted to connect with a pump gear element 81, which is rotatably mounted in a chamber 88 in the casting or housing 63. It meshes with a pump gear element 89-. An outlet conduit 98 has a branch 9| which communicates with a valve chamber 92. At the opposite side of the chamber and in alignment with the conduit branch 9! is a conduit 93 which is in communication with a gear chamber 35 in which a pair of meshed gears 95 and 9B are rotatably mounted, the gear 96 having the stub shaft 64 extending therefrom and carrying the wheel drive pinion 65.

Opposite the point of communication of the conduit 93 with a gear chamber 94 is a return conduit connection 91, which communicates. with the valve. chamber 92. Opposite this point of communication with said valve chamber is a return conduit section as which is adapted to bring liquid back to the opposite side of the meshed teeth of the gears 81 and 89 from the liquid dis- I03 having ports I04, I05 and I06 and I! therethrough. There is also a flow reversing passage I08 in one side of the valve body I 03.

'When the valve body I03 is moved longitudinally in its chamber 92 to align the port I 04 with conduits 9I and 93, it will also align the port I with conduits 91 and 98. In this position of the valve liquid will be forced by the pump gears 87 and 89 through conduit 9I, portI04, and conduit 93 to one side of the meshed gears 95 and 96, causing said gears to be rotated. As liquid passes through the meshed teeth it is returned through conduit 97, port I05 and conduit 98 to the inlet side of the pump gears 8! and 99.

When the valve I03 is shifted to align the port I06 with conduits 99 and I00 the fluid moving from the pump gears 8! and 98 will be forced posite side or in a reverse direction from that just described above. Fluid will return from gears 95 and 96 through conduit I02 and port I01 to the conduit IIll and thence to the return conduit 98, port I01 being aligned with said conduits I02 and I0 I.

When the valve I03 is set in the position shown in Fig. 9, liquid flowing from the pump gears 8'! and 89 will flow through conduits 90 and 99 and the reverse flow or by-pass cavity in the valve to the return conduit 98. In this position none of the ports I04 through I8! are aligned with any conduit. This is an idling position of the pump.

The valve member I03 has an operating rod I09 connected thereto. This rod is slidably carried by a bracket IIO suitably secured to the pump housing 63. The rod I09 slides through lock III which forms part of the bracket IIO. Spring stops II2 are mounted on the rod I09 to move longitudinally therewith. Compression springs I I3 are located on the rod I 09, there being a spring between each set of lugs II I and II 2. A lever I I4 has a forked end I I5 which lies about the valve operating rod I09. Said lever I I4 is mounted on the end of a shaft II6, which is r0- tatably supported by a bracket III connected to the pump housing 63 and a bracket I I8 extending downwardly from the axle housing I I2. A crank arm I I9 is rigidly mounted on the shaft H6 and is pivotally connected by a link I to a crank arm I2I rigidly mounted on the end of a shaft I22 which extends rearwardly to a point adjacent rear end of the frame of the machine. The shaft I22 has its forward end rotatably supported by a bracket I23 on the axle housing I2. The shaft extends through the tubular handle member 24 and thence out through the wall thereof at the point where said tubular handle is bent upwardly. The outwardly extending rear end of the shaft I 22 is rotatably supported by a bracket I24 which is connected to the handle 24. A crank arm I22a is rigidly mounted on the end of the shaft I22 and it is pivotally connected by a link I25 to a crank arm I26 which-is rotatably carried on the upper horizontal portion of the handle 24. A sleeve I2! is rotatable with the crank arm I26 so that when the sleeve is turned the entire above described linkage to the hydraulic valve member I03 can be shifted.

When the hand clip or sleeve I2! is shifted in one direction about the end of the handle 24 it will, through the linkage I26 down through IIIi, oscillate the lever II4. This will cause it to engage one of the spring stops H2 and shift the valve rod I09 in one direction. Obviously partial rotation of the handle sleeve'I2'I in the other direction will move the valve rod operating lever H4 and the rod and valve in the other direction to the forward or reverse setting of the valve as the case may be.

When the handle sleeve I2! is released by the operator the spring I I3, which is under compression, will expand axially and return the valve rod I09 to a neutral position where the two springs I I3 are balanced. Consequently, whether the machine is being driven in a forward or reverse direction, as soon as the operator releases the handle sleeve I2I the hydraulic drive will be disconnected. It should also be noted that when this occurs the valve I03 will be in a position shown in Fig. 9, wherein the conduit to and from the driven gears and 96 will be shut off, and said gears will be locked in position. This being true, the entire wheel drive is locked so that the wheels can not rotate. This is a safety feature which is of extremely great importance in a machine of the type described, and it is impossible for the machine to move as lon as the operator does not hold the handle sleeve I21 in a forward or reverse driving position.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that we have provided a power driven saw which is automotive and which is extremely simple and safe to operate. Theinternal combustion engine can be kept'running but when it is throttled down to an idling speed the saw blades will be disconhosted by the centrifugal clutch 50. Furthermore, if the saw blades become pinched as when cutting a tree, they will slow down the motor speed and cause the centrifugal clutch to disconnect the saw from the engine.

The saw can be set to any angle by means of they mechanism described above. It can cut horizontally or vertically or at intermediate angles, depending upon the number of notches 32 which are formed in the flanged collar 3|. The saw can also be swung about its vertical pivot 32 and the entire unit can be rocked about the axle 66 for vertical swinging cuts when the blades are in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The hydraulic drive has been described above and the safety control, therefore, has also been brought out. Shifting of the pinion 1-3 to disengage it from the pinion 65 and to disengage the clutch elements 74 and I5 is provided so that the wheels I4 will be free for independent rotation when sharp turns are required, such as when maneuvering the machine into position relative to a tree to be out.

As soon as the saw is placed in position the pinion I3 is meshed with the pinion 65 and the hydraulic valve I93 is set in the idling or locked position shown in Fig. 9, so that the saw will be firmly held and the wheels can not creep over the ground.

The rear leg I! and its jack elements I9 and 20 permit the machine to be levelled on uneven ground and the. skid i8 is provided when the machine is travelling such as; when cutting a patch through brush.

A brush guard I28 is: shown extending upwardly from. the axle housing, [2, to prevent brush from falling on and entangling, with the flexible shafting 62 and other parts ofv the apparatus.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invenizion.

What we claim is:

1. In a mobile, self-propelled power-cutting machine such as a power saw for cutting stand,- ing, and felled timber in advance of a propelling vehicle, a vehicle frame, powered wheels for supporting said frame, an elongated saw-mounting mounted for free swinging on. a vertical axis extending longitudinally of said frame and projecting some distance beyond the forward end thereof, a power driven rotary saw mounted at the forward end of said mounting, said saw through its mounting and said self-propelled, wheeled frame being adapted to be advanced against material to be cut, by the propulsion of said frame through said driven wheels during horizontal swinging of said saw, a motor on said frame and connected for driving said rotary saw, a hydraulic power transmission unit interposed between said motor and at least two of said wheels for driving and controlling the saw, said transmission unit including mechanism for shifting driving connections from a neutral, non-driving position to a wheel-driving position, a single, oscillatory hand-control for controllin application of driving power to said wheels in variable relations and for also controlling locking of said wheels when the operators hand is released therefrom, a valve in said hydraulic transmission adapted to, when closed, cause locking of said wheels and consequently stopping of the travel of the machine, spring means for normally urging said valve to closed position when said handle control member is released and connections between said mechanism and said valve and including said oscillatory handle for releasing said valve when said drive-connecting mechanism is actuated by said handle.

2. In a mobile power saw for cutting standing and felled timber and the like, a frame, wheels for supporting said frame, an elongated saw mounting extending longitudinally of said frame and projecting some distance beyond the forward end thereof, a, power driven, rotary saw mounted at the forward end of saidmounting and having driving connections supported in said mounting, said saw through its mounting and said Wheeled frame being adapted to be advanced against material to be cut by the propulsion of said frame through driving of said wheels, a motor mounted on said frame and connected for driving said rotary saw, power take-off mechanism connected with, said motor for driving at least one of said wheels, a hydraulic transmission unit interposed between said power take-off mechanism and. any of said wheels to be driven, said hydraulic unit including, a. pump having forward and reverse flow conduits connected thereto, a valve associated with said conduits and shiftable from a neutral, non-driving position to forward and; reverse driving positions, said valve being related to said conduits to lock power take-off from said. unit and to consequently lock said wheels when shifted to a predetermined position, spring means for normally urging said valve to said locked powertakeoff position, clutch connections between-said power take-ofi mechanism and at least one of said wheels, an oscillatory hand control member mounted in an accessible position on said vehicle frame, connections between said control member and said valve for shifting said valve against the action of said spring through hand control, and connections between said clutch and said wheels for normally maintaining said clutch in normal position but shiftable through a finger control member adjacent said handle to disengage, said clutch whereby normally during travel andoperation of the device, release of the operators. hand from said hand control member locks the wheels and whereby when desired, shifting of said sec.- ond finger control member will release said wheels for sharp turning manually of the; machine.

R-eferences Cited in the file of this patent,- UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,516,502 Rowntree Nov. 25, 1924 1,624,663 Jacker Apr. 12, 1927 2,330,996 Rivers Oct. 5, 1943 2,365,408 Hillyer Dec. 19, 1944 2,377,303 Acton June 5, 1945 2,461,188 Stoner Feb. 8, 1949 2,462,314 Fuqua Feb, 22, 1949 2,463,232 Zimicki Mar. 1, 1949 2,601,752 Rose July 1, 1952 

